Pietersen 'disappointed' at exclusion

Kevin Pietersen's management has issued a statement expressing his disappointment at his exclusion from the England squad for the Test tour of India.

Pietersen was not considered by the England selectors following the revelation that he had exchanged messages with members of the South Africa touring party that contained derogatory remarks about Andrew Strauss and after it became clear that Pietersen's relationship with other members of the England side had deteriorated to an unhealthy level.

While Pietersen and officials at the ECB have been in dialogue in recent times, the managing director of England cricket, Hugh Morris, said "as there are issues still to be resolved Kevin has not been considered for selection for the India tour."

The statement revealed that Pietersen had apologised in person to Strauss and officials at the ECB, while also reaffirming his commitment to playing international cricket for England.

However Pietersen also insisted that, contrary to some reports, he had at no stage exchanged "tactical advice" with anyone in the South Africa camp about any colleagues in the England team.

"Kevin Pietersen is very disappointed about today's decision having gone to great lengths to reach a reconciliation with the ECB," the statement read. "Pietersen has met with and apologised to Andrew Strauss.

"He has also met with Alastair Cook to stress his commitment to England and he has met with ECB Board members including face to face meetings with Hugh Morris, David Collier and Andy Flower prior to his departure to Sri Lanka.

"At all times Pietersen has wished his meetings with the ECB to remain private so as not to inflame an already difficult situation.

"His recent silence was not an admission of any wrong doing. He wanted to explain and apologise to the ECB for the messages exchanged with members of the South Africa team.

"He has also made it absolutely clear to the ECB and the England team that despite unsubstantiated allegations to the contrary and repeated media speculation he did not offer any tactical advice to the South Africans. Pietersen remains available for England."

@Ashes61.... Your raves about Bresnan say it all! You must be seeing something that I and many other die-hard cricket watchers (for 50+ years in my case) can't see? Your entitled to your opinion of course and for now the England dinosuars seem to agree with you. He looks very average to me and doesn't instill any fear in quality opposition with either bat or ball and we won't mention his fielding! Bresnan keeping Woakes or Onions out of the test and ODI scene is crazy....... COME ON ENGLAND!!!

on September 19, 2012, 17:32 GMT

@IanBellFan Like the optimism but you talk about Wasim, Waqar and Akhtar without realizing that they were tearaway fast bowlers, who do you compare them to when you march to India... Bresnan, Broad & Anderson.. Really?

ShortGully
on September 19, 2012, 16:02 GMT

@Charlie101, You are right, If the ball turns for Ashwin so would for Swann and Panesar, But what about the Batsman..? Without Strauss and KP, Do you think the ENG players will play the Spin same way like IND Batsman? I can say Ashwin is better batsmen against Spin in Indian conditions than some of the new Players ENG going to use in the Series. Also Dont forget about Ojha..

mydearoldthing
on September 19, 2012, 14:39 GMT

if these meetings are behind closed doors why is KP issuing press announcements as to his feelings and 'what he has done'? if the ECB counters with comments on his demands he will use that as a justification of his being wronged. I personally hope they do. It will show us if he is the meek little lamb he pretends to be. As for the others who have passed comments in books the ECB know exactly what was said and in what context. This is not the same thing as KP has done at all with the text messages.

on September 19, 2012, 11:16 GMT

Its utter cruel about the ECB. They can't punish other players and the only one who gets into this is KP. What else he has to do? He has to Win Matches, Digest Sarcastic comments, Battle With politics and then prob he would be in English side for good reasons.

ashes61
on September 19, 2012, 9:08 GMT

PhoenixSteve: Your post demonstrates a rather shaky understanding of the game of cricket. You fail to understand exactly what sort of bowler Bresnan is. Would you have described Tate, Bedser, Jackson, Hendricks or Fraser as "mediocre chundlers"? He hasn't had the best of summers - nor have most ENG bowlers - but, put simply, his record stands up. Stats don't tell the whole story, but it took Anderson many years to get his average down from a very high figure to around the 31 it is today; Broad is still struggling to get his down to about 30/31 & keep it there. Finn is a fraction below 30 & Bresnan is ALREADY at 30. Of course, it could go up, but each of these 3 team-mates' averages started much higher than they are now, so Bresnan has had an EXCEPTIONALLY good start to his Test career. Batting? Test average 36+ (Broad only 26) & Bresnan has twice narrowly missed out on a century in his early Tests (Broad 1 ton in 49 Tests).Missed his stunning catches? Don't be fooled by appearances!

PureTom
on September 19, 2012, 7:40 GMT

I like all the comments saying England don't have a chance in India without KP. Have you looked at their subcontinent record over the last few years? Even with KP they don't stand a chance!
Graeme Swann can't turn it anymore. Stuart Broads medium pacers with no seam on offer will get carted. Jimmy Anderson without swing is just another medium pacer to. Steven Finn, hopefully, will do well. I'd say the bowlings about even in the subcontinent, India's batting is better and India have the home advantage. And there is the small matter of revenge.
The ECB need to pick 3 or 4 KP's to have a chance!

Dravid_Pujara_Gravitas
on September 19, 2012, 7:29 GMT

@A vacant slip, hahaha you have a fine sense of humor. Stuart Broad and Yuvraj!? Hahaha... ROFL... Yuvraj was batt(l)ing with cancer when he toured England. Forgot the six sixers in one over when The Champ was at his best? Go figure..

nikhilmjain
on September 19, 2012, 6:21 GMT

@ A_Vacant_Slip
"the moment Stuart Broad bowl at Yuvraj Yuvraj will call for ambulance"
LMAO! Muhahahahaha. Isn't Stuart Broad the same guy who got smashed for six sixes in an over by Yuvraj? You my friend, made my day. I cant stop laughing. You have a natural talent for humor. MORE PLEASE!

Dravid_Pujara_Gravitas
on September 19, 2012, 5:52 GMT

KP not touring India is a very disappointing news for his fans from India. I hope something drastic happens and he gets to board the flight to our country :-(

phoenixsteve
on September 19, 2012, 21:24 GMT

@Ashes61.... Your raves about Bresnan say it all! You must be seeing something that I and many other die-hard cricket watchers (for 50+ years in my case) can't see? Your entitled to your opinion of course and for now the England dinosuars seem to agree with you. He looks very average to me and doesn't instill any fear in quality opposition with either bat or ball and we won't mention his fielding! Bresnan keeping Woakes or Onions out of the test and ODI scene is crazy....... COME ON ENGLAND!!!

on September 19, 2012, 17:32 GMT

@IanBellFan Like the optimism but you talk about Wasim, Waqar and Akhtar without realizing that they were tearaway fast bowlers, who do you compare them to when you march to India... Bresnan, Broad & Anderson.. Really?

ShortGully
on September 19, 2012, 16:02 GMT

@Charlie101, You are right, If the ball turns for Ashwin so would for Swann and Panesar, But what about the Batsman..? Without Strauss and KP, Do you think the ENG players will play the Spin same way like IND Batsman? I can say Ashwin is better batsmen against Spin in Indian conditions than some of the new Players ENG going to use in the Series. Also Dont forget about Ojha..

mydearoldthing
on September 19, 2012, 14:39 GMT

if these meetings are behind closed doors why is KP issuing press announcements as to his feelings and 'what he has done'? if the ECB counters with comments on his demands he will use that as a justification of his being wronged. I personally hope they do. It will show us if he is the meek little lamb he pretends to be. As for the others who have passed comments in books the ECB know exactly what was said and in what context. This is not the same thing as KP has done at all with the text messages.

on September 19, 2012, 11:16 GMT

Its utter cruel about the ECB. They can't punish other players and the only one who gets into this is KP. What else he has to do? He has to Win Matches, Digest Sarcastic comments, Battle With politics and then prob he would be in English side for good reasons.

ashes61
on September 19, 2012, 9:08 GMT

PhoenixSteve: Your post demonstrates a rather shaky understanding of the game of cricket. You fail to understand exactly what sort of bowler Bresnan is. Would you have described Tate, Bedser, Jackson, Hendricks or Fraser as "mediocre chundlers"? He hasn't had the best of summers - nor have most ENG bowlers - but, put simply, his record stands up. Stats don't tell the whole story, but it took Anderson many years to get his average down from a very high figure to around the 31 it is today; Broad is still struggling to get his down to about 30/31 & keep it there. Finn is a fraction below 30 & Bresnan is ALREADY at 30. Of course, it could go up, but each of these 3 team-mates' averages started much higher than they are now, so Bresnan has had an EXCEPTIONALLY good start to his Test career. Batting? Test average 36+ (Broad only 26) & Bresnan has twice narrowly missed out on a century in his early Tests (Broad 1 ton in 49 Tests).Missed his stunning catches? Don't be fooled by appearances!

PureTom
on September 19, 2012, 7:40 GMT

I like all the comments saying England don't have a chance in India without KP. Have you looked at their subcontinent record over the last few years? Even with KP they don't stand a chance!
Graeme Swann can't turn it anymore. Stuart Broads medium pacers with no seam on offer will get carted. Jimmy Anderson without swing is just another medium pacer to. Steven Finn, hopefully, will do well. I'd say the bowlings about even in the subcontinent, India's batting is better and India have the home advantage. And there is the small matter of revenge.
The ECB need to pick 3 or 4 KP's to have a chance!

Dravid_Pujara_Gravitas
on September 19, 2012, 7:29 GMT

@A vacant slip, hahaha you have a fine sense of humor. Stuart Broad and Yuvraj!? Hahaha... ROFL... Yuvraj was batt(l)ing with cancer when he toured England. Forgot the six sixers in one over when The Champ was at his best? Go figure..

nikhilmjain
on September 19, 2012, 6:21 GMT

@ A_Vacant_Slip
"the moment Stuart Broad bowl at Yuvraj Yuvraj will call for ambulance"
LMAO! Muhahahahaha. Isn't Stuart Broad the same guy who got smashed for six sixes in an over by Yuvraj? You my friend, made my day. I cant stop laughing. You have a natural talent for humor. MORE PLEASE!

Dravid_Pujara_Gravitas
on September 19, 2012, 5:52 GMT

KP not touring India is a very disappointing news for his fans from India. I hope something drastic happens and he gets to board the flight to our country :-(

phoenixsteve
on September 19, 2012, 5:50 GMT

@ianbellfan... great moniker BTW. I agree that Indai are ripe for the picking and that even without KP England should do well? Just imagine KP putting the Indian trundlers to the sword though...I disagree about Bresnan though... he's just not up to it. A mediocre 'chundler' - (at best) plus he can't really bat and his fielding is below standard. He belongs next to Shrek and I don't mean as Puss In Boots. Wake up England get rid of this player; he-aw. he-aw. he-always looks out of his depth.... COME ON ENGLAND!!!

Alexk400
on September 19, 2012, 3:56 GMT

ECB on angry gorilla revenge mode...they are taking out on KP on all anger towards IPL. Hahaha. KP just retire. ECB will never allow you make money in IPL also they never allow you to play BIG TEST matches against SA,AUS,INDIA. You are done as ENgland Test player. May be go back to SA or even Australia. I prefer you go to australia and play against ENgland. That would be awsome.

m0se
on September 19, 2012, 3:34 GMT

The way England management have been stringing along Pietersen seems to border on cruelty. Either let him go or take him back.

ianbellfan
on September 19, 2012, 3:10 GMT

Guys. Some of the comments are bordering on the inane. What makes some believe that without KP, ENG do not have a chance of winning in the sub-continent. By repeatedly saying that, I believe that we will only be making them that much more determined to put on a good show and prove a point. They have the players to do it. Cook, Trott and Prior are hard as nails competitors and Anderson, Broad and Finn are as good as any fast bowling combination going around the world at this moment. With the option of playing 6 specialist batsmen and 3 good lower players in Bresnan, Broad and Swann, they pretty much have most of the bases covered. Even on slow, low sub-continent wickets pace through the air can be effective. Wasim, Waqar and Shoaib Akthar have shown us that. So what makes us Indians think Engalnd are going to a stroll in the park. India will win the series but it is not going to be as easy as is being made out in some of the posts.

Natx
on September 19, 2012, 2:37 GMT

@A_Vacant_Slip: I like your optimism. But think practicaly and show me one test series win in India for the last 2 decades. Test cricket is meant to played in all surfaces - pace, swing, bounce, spin to test the caliber of players. 2 quality guys gone - Strauss, KP. I wish you and England good luck in saving the whitewash. Hope you guys didn't forget the 3-0 drubbing yet at the hands of Pak. Welcome to subcontinent!

Akshay.Sekhri
on September 19, 2012, 2:28 GMT

KP treatment seems so unfair, that no matter whom England play with I wish they lose. Wish they lose so pathetically that they get there bearings back and give this special talent the due that it deserves. If KP had Andrew strauss's average he would have been out of the England team 2 years ago. If he had Bell's record may be same, just goes to show how differently he has always been treated.

Akshay.Sekhri
on September 19, 2012, 2:24 GMT

The KP treatment just seems so unfair. As a neutral talent

jacobs_the_man
on September 19, 2012, 1:18 GMT

I don't care how good thie rooster is (or thinks he is) you can't have people in your team who undermind ypur captain or any other senior players. He's a primadonna whos had his shot at captaincy and if he wants to play in the team he should learn to shut his mouth.

Shan156
on September 19, 2012, 0:41 GMT

@maddy20, I thought underestimating the opposition is an Indian trait:-) You hardly see any English fans claiming that we will win 4-0 while, OTOH, you have a whole bunch of Indian fans predicting that England will suffer a whitewash. Personally, I think India are a very hard side to beat at home. It is also a fact that the Indian attack is ordinary. Yes, they avert series defeats at home using a very simple formula - they have wonderful batsmen who can pile on the runs and their bowlers use scoreboard pressure and some assistance from the pitch to eke out a win. Please note that I believe there is nothing wrong with that as every home team usually prepare pitches that suit their strength. It would also be wrong on the part of India to replace Ojha with Harbhajan. For one, both Ashwin and Bhajji are similar kind of bowlers and Ojha with his left arm spin can provide a variation. The other reason is that Ojha is the incumbent and has done nothing wrong to lose his place.

unregisteredalien
on September 19, 2012, 0:11 GMT

@landl47, maybe, but what I see here is yet another round of whining and finger-pointing emanating from the KP camp. To me, statements like this don't equate to shutting up, putting your head down, getting on with cricket and gradually rebuilding trust, which are the things KP ought to be doing if he wants to get selected again. Instead we get more petulant, passive-aggressive, self-entitled me-me-me. Good on England (said as an Aussie, ugh) for not buckling.

Lankan_Pride1981
on September 18, 2012, 23:05 GMT

we are going to miss seeing a classy batsman standing up to bunch of challenging spinners....he smashed all sri lankan bowlers when they last visited sri lanka and helped england keep their number 1 ranking

A_Vacant_Slip
on September 18, 2012, 22:53 GMT

@maddy20 if there is babbling nonsense here surely it is from you. India were consequtively whitewashed by England and then by Australia. What make you think that just a year later India will turn these whitewash into winning performance? And this with no Dravid, no Laxman, etc. Or are we going to get another load of excuse about "injury revaged India..."? You talk of Bhajji, Ashwin, Zaheer, Yadav, Yuvraj, you are joking - right? Harbhajan had his career ended in England in 2011 and the moment Stuart Broad bowl at Yuvraj Yuvraj will call for ambulance, just like last time. You are comedy boy @maddy20 - keep posting you make me laugh. We will leave the "playing down the opposition" to you as you are expert.

subbass
on September 18, 2012, 22:09 GMT

Any realistic England fan - of which I count myself as - knows we will be lucky to avoid a 4-0 hammering. Don't forget the Indians are going to be well up for some payback after we hammered them in our own conditions. Expect us to have no clue again v the Indian spinners, who are more than good enough in their own conditions. If KP went we might have hopes of winning a Test but her would not stop us losing. So if by missing this tour he returns for the Ashes I will be happy enough.

plz publish !

vxttemp
on September 18, 2012, 21:51 GMT

My initial impression was, No way India can whitewash Eng. But I may be wrong. I think MSD already laid his plans for Eng. To begin with, he used NZ series by pressing for spinner friendly as a platform. Now it is lot more easy for him to convince others that he is not asking rank turners only for England. MSD is a very smart guy. I would love to see how Eng will fare on spinner friendly pitches. Don't know why Ind/SL wants to move away from spin tracks. That should be the challenge for others and for others Eng, SA, Aus and NZ should be challenging seaming conditions. This is something like French open being a slow clay court turning to a fast track and slowing down Wimby(which they already did). It was fun lendl battling on Grass and Sampras/becker and co on French Clay.

maddy20
on September 18, 2012, 20:36 GMT

@landl47
In Indian conditions Ashwin is a crafty bowler who has more than enough ammo to trouble an English line up fielding two rookies in alien conditions. I am sure , these rookies will be shown their place by our "very ordinary attack". I reckon Harbhajan will be back and our attack will comprise Bhajji, Ashwin, Zaheer, Yadav, Yuvraj. If I was an English fan I will be very worried about my team instead of babbling nonsense about the opposition. England are in for another nasty wake up call. I say another because they wake up only when they lose and then go back to down playing the opposition.

phoenixsteve
on September 18, 2012, 19:43 GMT

Shocking news about Pietersen's omission. I agree that I don't think (or hope) that it's the end of KP it could be the beginning of the end for Hugh Morris and his fellow dinosaurs! We (England supporters) need a successful team and we've got used to success? Morris comes from the old school of cricketing mediocrity and is out of place. Poor Alastair Cook must be considering his own resignation after they've effectively tied one hand behind his back? COME ON ENGLAND!!!

LaGeek
on September 18, 2012, 19:43 GMT

@Charlie:
" if the pitches in India are prepared so that Ashwin can take wickets it will also suit Swann and Panasar who are both much better bowlers"

Really? Swann, based on past form, I can atleast understand, though he has been far from effective in India. Panesar? Really? And they are better than Ashwin in India? Swann is overall probably a better bowler, but in India, Ashwin is far ahead than either of the two. Just look at the records.

on September 18, 2012, 19:38 GMT

This has to be with the centralized contract dispute. I am sure KP didnt agree with that because of which he is sacked. ECB have cornered him well.

on September 18, 2012, 18:50 GMT

ECB has mismanaged this from start to finish. They have allowed a few senior players to dictate that Peterson stays out of the team. The issue should have been sorted a long to ago and all players told to manage a good healthy relation with each other.
Like Vaughn said, some sensible senior players (Stuart Broad excluded) should have taken Peterson for a dinner and ensured all was well.

There will always be difficult to handle players in teams, any sport. ECB have mishandled the situation here.

Peterson was the man of series lat T20 world cup and we have not taken him.
He is one of the most imposing player in cricket today.

ECB and few senior players to blame as much as Peterson. Look at Stuart Broads track record. Totally misbehaved on the pitch. Only got away because his father is a senior refree. He is at the centre of this row with Peterson!!!
Figure that.

on September 18, 2012, 18:48 GMT

No matter who plays in both teams, beating India in India does need some real steel and lots and lots of talent. I cannot remember any other team, other than the mighty Australians at their best, winning a Test series in India. They were a very very tough bunch of cricketers committed to the very core to finally conquer the "final frontier". I do not think England are there yet despite their coach claiming them to be equal to the great Australians. Well we can all see what happens in a couple of months - its not that far away.

xylo
on September 18, 2012, 18:44 GMT

wow... I see a piece from this author reporting news and not his opinion after a long time! Thanks!

Shan156
on September 18, 2012, 18:30 GMT

I believe that England will miss Andrew Strauss' experience at the top of the order more than KP. Although, Strauss's record was mediocre in the last year or two, he has done reasonably well in India. Also, I wish Indian fans wait, at least, till the test series starts before going on with their 4-0 predictions. It didn't work so well the last time you were in England or Australia, did it? It does look like England may be underestimating India's bowling. Their spin bowling duo of Ashwin and Ojha is a threat at home and England would do well to not underestimate them. Hoping to see a competitive series. Go England.

on September 18, 2012, 18:10 GMT

Despite all issues pieterson exclusion will dent ENG already fading chances of showing some fight against india in india . I will give one advice to pieterson that if he is not considered to represent ENG in next series after india as well . He should try to settle in africa and try to get a place in africa 11 after the 18 month odd period of changing your representation . I am sure with his class he will definitely find a place with african giants like amla and kallis in playing 11 and it will be treat to watch Smith Amla Kallis Devilliers and KP in one test outfit .

Rahulbose
on September 18, 2012, 17:50 GMT

This is weird, KP keeps saying he has apologized and in the same breath also explains how his silence is not an admission of any wrongdoing. Only other cricket player with a similar mix for cricket skills and self-destruction tendencies was Shoaib Akhtar.

2.14istherunrate
on September 18, 2012, 17:44 GMT

Although there are a number of posts in which posters express their happiness and say England will be better off without him,I supect that personally he will be a lot better off without them. Who will he miss? A bunch of people who he really could not trust, people who discuss him in autobiograsphies though hardly knowing him, people who would see him walk the plank after making 149 in the most breathtaking fashion, people who could not care if he were dead or alive. They are not people who would look after their teammates but go out settle petty scores in this fashion. Hell, Kevin, you are free of the trash,seriously!!! Not to mention a coach who never smiles or laughs, an administrator who is so biassed against you, and a head of selectors who is totally blind and in all a bunch of people whose hearts are too hard and cynical to accept apologies however religious they might pretend to be.

Shan156
on September 18, 2012, 17:40 GMT

While a fully fit and focussed KP will only strengthen, what looks currently weak and inexperienced, England's batting, I don't buy into the theory that he should be drafted back into the squad immediately after he apologized. KP made some mistakes and if he is regretting it, that is good. But, the England management needs to ensure that he will not create another ruckus anytime soon. Also, only recently he named his 'suspects' and these guys are the fulcrum of England's bowling unit. How will the dressing room atmosphere be if he immediately gets back into the team? Let him cool it down, work with his team-mates and commit himself fully to the team. In the meantime, England may win and lose some games. So be it. While his experience playing in India would be very useful, he doesn't have an earth shattering record in that country. Proof is his average of 40 over 5 tests (1 100, 2 50s). Good but not extraordinary.

srirangam12
on September 18, 2012, 17:18 GMT

Well, if Pietersen has apologised, then I don understand the logic of not picking him. It almost looks as if he was led to tendering an apology with the carrot that he would be picked. And once he apologised, and made England team management and selectors look vindicated, its jolly good policy to continue to keep him out of the team. Pieterson is a magnificent player and knows sub continental conditions and loves playing in them. Indian team can feel happy and Indian fans can sigh in disappointment in not being able to watch him play in what probably would have been his test tour to India.

zoot
on September 18, 2012, 17:12 GMT

The ECB and the England players responsible need to act bigger. They are being very petty. I wonder how many other great cricketers would have suffered a similar fate if their boards adopted the same approach. I bet some of them got involved in physical fights. The tactical advice stuff over how to get players out is pretty trivial in an age when all the batsmen are analysed every which way by computer and cricket experts give the same advice in the media. Maybe fifty years ago the ECB would have had a valid point.

bubbesh2
on September 18, 2012, 16:58 GMT

Pietersen will be sorely missed in the subcontinent- the mastery he showed in the IPL of subcontinental conditions- granted, in the popcorn format of the game, cannot be overlooked. Still, India mustn't underestimate this England side. Anyway, despite being an Indian supporter, i'll miss KP. No man is bigger than the team and all that, but come on, grow up, all of you. Time for some forgiveness all around.

Pilgrim1311
on September 18, 2012, 16:42 GMT

@JacksDad - I don't think this is the end of his international career, just that they haven't got to the bottom of it so it would be premature to pick him. They may still come to terms, accept his apology and move on, continuing to consider him. That said, someone below said he'd apologised for his "previous outbursts". Yes, but the fact that this is in the plural means there have been too many 'outbursts', too much drama from him. I think the ECB are right not to set the precedent for players being able to pick-and-choose which types of cricket they play. That's a slippery slope towards the death of Test cricket, as the younger players who've grown up with T20 lose interest in Tests knowing they can have fun and make money much more easily in T20.

landl47
on September 18, 2012, 16:32 GMT

At least Pietersen has finally stopped talking and is letting people whose job it is to represent him say what is needed. Every time he opened his mouth he got himself deeper into the mire. I don't know whether the problems can ever be successfully resolved, but I do know that the Indian fans who think this will now be an easy series for India are in for a nasty shock. England may have lost KP, but India has lost Dravid (the ONLY batsman who did anything in England last year) and Laxman and their bowling looks very ordinary. They just finished a close series with a New Zealand side that is only a good club team and lost to Pakistan in a game where only Ashwin could take a wicket. They're not a good side and this tour will prove that.

Chennai_Voice
on September 18, 2012, 16:27 GMT

Good Luck England! Expect to be 'White' washed by India. Time for India to settle the scores!!

I am convinced the ECB have NOT seen the text or texts sent and this is the problem as clearly KP is not going to show them . Whilst he is saying that the texts did not "offer any tactical advise " the situation can not be resolved . I am sure if KP shows the texts and is then disciplined , be it financial or suspension we can all move on. The team will accept KP more readily if his punishment is severe and hurts financially . Plse remember we won the 2009 Ashes series virtually without KP and if the pitches in India are prepared so that Ashwin can take wickets it will also suit Swann and Panasar who are both much better bowlers . The series in India is far from lost aleady.

Kentheavenonearth
on September 18, 2012, 15:56 GMT

Who levelled the series before he could handle the trolls no longer? There are two outcomes to all this: Joe and/or Nick stun us with a Billy's Boots innings or two of such jaw-dropping brilliance that 'the foreigner' never gets back in. Or, as is highly likely we lose 4-0 and then, finally the gang of three ie Broady, Swanny and Jimmy are confronted by Headmaster Miller and everyone shakes hands, grudgingly.

AlfAlpha
on September 18, 2012, 15:35 GMT

I would love for Pieterson to get fast-tracked back in the South African side (or any other country that wants him), so he can fight it out with Anderson, Swann and Broad on the pitch. All the negotiations are pretty boring - I wouldn't want him on a team I was in, but there's going to be plenty who do!!

10Devils
on September 18, 2012, 15:17 GMT

English Team without K.P!! means no exitement. Well somewhere K.P is responsible for all this, after all he is a human being too and he is allowed to make mistakes.

on September 18, 2012, 15:05 GMT

The poms had the chance of at least drawing a test or two with KP. Now it's gonna be 4-0, weather permitting. Also, Carberry or Chopra should have been there. Root's domestic experience is very limited.

supacodger
on September 18, 2012, 14:48 GMT

Doesn't matter if England don't do well in India (though I bet they'll be fine without him). You can't have a bloke who texts the opposition with gripes about team mates in your dressing room. It's all a waste but he brought it on himself.

Noball_Specialist
on September 18, 2012, 14:43 GMT

LOL England don't want to win.

venbas
on September 18, 2012, 14:40 GMT

Even the Aussie Selectors have been more accomodating of their fiesty champions like Warnie or to a greater extent Symonds(who was only fired after the zillionth odd violation). Shame on ECB for robbing cricket lovers of KP. With super sized egos and scheming mind(refering to the selective leaks) I wonder if there is any difference between the ECB bosses and their counterparts in the BCCI whom everyone loves to hate.

vswami
on September 18, 2012, 14:29 GMT

Pietersen has a management ?

Akshita29
on September 18, 2012, 14:14 GMT

It was really sad to see him in The expert role for cricket talk show cricket extra for star cricket aired in India . He actually talked of Morgan and Swaan in his top 5 picks for icc t20 . Its sad for world cricket kp is not selected for India tour . Its not all about english cricket .England can or might still go on to do well but no one can match the flair and style and the charisma he has and world cricket needs him.

LEOFURQAN86
on September 18, 2012, 14:09 GMT

I m from pak but i love to watch KP batting and just for KP i like and love to watch victory of Engalnd even they play against my country that time also i must pray for KP and love to watch his hundreds and more than this against any side even pak but i m very disappointed by ECB decesion dont worry KP we still love your batting and pray for your come back and every body sure Engalnd will miss you in next all series and without you i dont think so they beat any top team in any format we are missing you and wait for IPL and Big bash just for you

kp.vasant
on September 18, 2012, 13:47 GMT

KP, you were always treated as an outsider in England dressing room. if indeed swan and Anderson were also involved with the tweet and uneasy dressing room, they should also have paid the price like you are being forced to. I'd say take sunny gavaskar's suggestion. He wrote in a news paper article last month that you should go back to South Africa, play domestic cricket for 4 years and become eligible to play for SA. In the mean time in these 4 years you can always play in various T20 loge's and make ton's of money. I am sure there are team's who would love to have you for a complete season. In that way you will not only remain in the minds of people but will also show the nut's in ECB what they have messed up with. Cheers mate, all the best for your future!

PS: will be watching you commenting in SL, especially when swan or anderson are bowling!

malepas
on September 18, 2012, 13:38 GMT

Its all Him(KP) and US(English players) dogma,,the fact that KP was never accepted by the English players and management and to recognise and appreciate him as the main player of the team has been the core of this issue, it was like we like his hundreds but if you get out at low score,,you are rubbish type attitude,,,yes, he may be bit of foul mouthed and egoistic,,who isn't in same position.,I think KP should consider his option as a freelance player for now,,play all the available T20's and make his millions and forget about playing for England,,cos ECB not gonna let him play now. may be another option is to go back to SA and play for them,,Kallis is retiring soon and they would love to have in the squad. Good luck KP

on September 18, 2012, 13:06 GMT

Shame on ECB and his team mates for not accepting his apology! Treat him as a human guys, everybody makes mistakes and then realises...he is not different

HawK89
on September 18, 2012, 13:04 GMT

Have to be pretty stupid, such as the ECB are, to think that Pietersen would help the cricket team that excluded him in the first place.

on September 18, 2012, 13:03 GMT

omg england will surely miss K.P.

whatawicket
on September 18, 2012, 13:00 GMT

called his ex captain to the team he was playing against. said he wanted to play in only games that would not hinder his ipl games. then wanted to only play certain types of 1 day internationals. then his team mates dont love him no more, then they are giving a mutual friend tips to hurt his feelings thru a twitter account. an on it goes, an on, an on. not sure if its his last england game. to tell you the truth im not bothered. but he could do the right thing, an retire. i for one am just fed up to my back teath on him. and all the baggage that goes with it.

Hira1
on September 18, 2012, 12:57 GMT

if this is true what ECB wants him to do?, without being included how is he going to show his commitment to the English team? this entire scenario seems so bizarre now.......rather than going in for this unnecessary conversation with ECB, KP must now look for legal advise in this matter

R_U_4_REAL_NICK
on September 18, 2012, 12:52 GMT

No surprises then. He'll be back... it's just a matter of when!

on September 18, 2012, 12:50 GMT

Disappointing decision by the ECB.
Punishment for the only player who can change the course of a test match
in a few overs and completely dominate the opposition.
India will be laughing.

asiacricket1234
on September 18, 2012, 12:43 GMT

Aah Poor KP. Do feel sorry for him although after what he has done he deserves this treatment. England gonna miss KP in India though.

on September 18, 2012, 12:42 GMT

Pieterson should be selected for the india tour. without him england team will fail as a pack of cards.

JacksDad
on September 18, 2012, 12:39 GMT

To me this smacks of hubris from the senior selectors. They seem intent to cut off their noses to spite their faces, as the old saying goes. Why leave one of the most talented batsmen out of an important tour when he has apologised for his previous outbursts and (to me) appeared contrite, and has toed the party line for the last few weeks.
Yes, he screwed up. But should that screw up really mean the end of his international career? Other players have screwed up in the past and have been able to continue playing for England. Why is KP so different?

on September 18, 2012, 12:39 GMT

A Leopard never changes its spots, KP has been on thin ice for a long time and this was always on the cards. It would really hurt team if KP was reinstated as the respect and team unity would be in shambles.

wrenx
on September 18, 2012, 12:29 GMT

Anyone else feel nothing but "meh" the more and more they hear about this story?

BigMachine
on September 18, 2012, 12:28 GMT

This says it all. It's always a ststement by his management, legal team, hangers-on etc and hardly ever from him. I would have more respect for him if he just came out and spoke from the heart.

Good opportunity for new batsmen though. Whilst they will have some half decent spinners to deal with, the ordinary, medium paced new-ball bowlers shouldn't cause a problem.

No featured comments at the moment.

BigMachine
on September 18, 2012, 12:28 GMT

This says it all. It's always a ststement by his management, legal team, hangers-on etc and hardly ever from him. I would have more respect for him if he just came out and spoke from the heart.

Good opportunity for new batsmen though. Whilst they will have some half decent spinners to deal with, the ordinary, medium paced new-ball bowlers shouldn't cause a problem.

wrenx
on September 18, 2012, 12:29 GMT

Anyone else feel nothing but "meh" the more and more they hear about this story?

on September 18, 2012, 12:39 GMT

A Leopard never changes its spots, KP has been on thin ice for a long time and this was always on the cards. It would really hurt team if KP was reinstated as the respect and team unity would be in shambles.

JacksDad
on September 18, 2012, 12:39 GMT

To me this smacks of hubris from the senior selectors. They seem intent to cut off their noses to spite their faces, as the old saying goes. Why leave one of the most talented batsmen out of an important tour when he has apologised for his previous outbursts and (to me) appeared contrite, and has toed the party line for the last few weeks.
Yes, he screwed up. But should that screw up really mean the end of his international career? Other players have screwed up in the past and have been able to continue playing for England. Why is KP so different?

on September 18, 2012, 12:42 GMT

Pieterson should be selected for the india tour. without him england team will fail as a pack of cards.

asiacricket1234
on September 18, 2012, 12:43 GMT

Aah Poor KP. Do feel sorry for him although after what he has done he deserves this treatment. England gonna miss KP in India though.

on September 18, 2012, 12:50 GMT

Disappointing decision by the ECB.
Punishment for the only player who can change the course of a test match
in a few overs and completely dominate the opposition.
India will be laughing.

R_U_4_REAL_NICK
on September 18, 2012, 12:52 GMT

No surprises then. He'll be back... it's just a matter of when!

Hira1
on September 18, 2012, 12:57 GMT

if this is true what ECB wants him to do?, without being included how is he going to show his commitment to the English team? this entire scenario seems so bizarre now.......rather than going in for this unnecessary conversation with ECB, KP must now look for legal advise in this matter

whatawicket
on September 18, 2012, 13:00 GMT

called his ex captain to the team he was playing against. said he wanted to play in only games that would not hinder his ipl games. then wanted to only play certain types of 1 day internationals. then his team mates dont love him no more, then they are giving a mutual friend tips to hurt his feelings thru a twitter account. an on it goes, an on, an on. not sure if its his last england game. to tell you the truth im not bothered. but he could do the right thing, an retire. i for one am just fed up to my back teath on him. and all the baggage that goes with it.